Fixer-Upper: A One-Time Tavern and Inn in Georgetown

Turquoise appliances and wide pine floors adorn the 19th-century Dunbar Tavern & Inn, which is now teeming with potential.

By Sofia Rivera· 3/9/2020, 1:35 p.m.

Photo by Andrew Swaine

34 E Main St., Georgetown
Price: $349,888
Size: 3,225 square feet
Bedrooms: 10
Baths: 8

Full disclosure: This house is going to take more elbow grease than your average fixer-upper, says listing agent Francine Cecieta. It’s been more than 100 years since the house saw a significant renovation. It needs all new plumbing, the carriage house could use some new floors, and the paint is peeling off the ceilings.

If you’re not scared by a little extra work, though, the home’s untouched quality is exactly what makes this 10-bedroom home so special. As you might guess by the “Tap Room” sign inside, when it was built in 1810, the property served as the Dunbar Tavern & Inn in downtown Georgetown, just a 15-minute drive from Newburyport. Cherish the vintage vibes of the kitchen, which pops with turquoise ’60s appliances, but you’ll want to replace the dusty tile flooring with some unscathed hardwood.

In the rest of the home, though, the wide-plank pine floors (some painted and some natural) still look great—throw up some bold wallpaper and replace the single-bulb light fixtures with some swankier sconces. No need to touch the eight fireplaces, though a fresh coat of paint could bring the mantels back to life.

The attached carriage house needs the most renovation of anything, but has the potential to add another 2,400 square feet of living space. Spruce up the joint homes for your own use as an antique single-family, or carve them up into eight condo units, as the property has been approved for.

For information, contact Francine Cecieta, Keller Williams Realty, kw.com.